Tiny Rabbits Get Landowner Habitat Help in Washington
Published Date: 6/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife asked for a special permit to help protect the tiny Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit by working with landowners to improve its habitat. This plan aims to connect habitats and grow the rabbit’s population while giving landowners clear rules and support. The public can share their thoughts on this plan until July 10, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Landowners Can Enroll; Get Regulatory Assurances
If you own private land in parts of the Columbia Plateau in Washington (Adams, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, or Benton Counties), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) can enroll your property in a conservation benefit agreement for a 30-year term. Enrolled landowners would receive regulatory assurances and be covered by an enhancement-of-survival permit that authorizes incidental take for lawful activities (farming, ranching, recreation, residential/commercial maintenance); WDFW expects at least 120,000 new acres could enroll under the agreement.
30-Year Habitat Rules and Access Requirements
If your enrolled property is designated as suitable pygmy rabbit habitat, you must retain vegetation cover in those areas for the 30-year duration of the agreement, provide WDFW access for occupancy and biological monitoring, notify WDFW at least 60 days before any habitat-altering activity that could result in take, and immediately report any dead or injured Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits found on the property.
Neighbor Outreach and Possible Rabbit Relocation
If pygmy rabbits likely occupy adjacent properties that are not enrolled, WDFW will contact those neighbors and try to enroll them as voluntary signatories; if a neighbor declines, WDFW will seek permission to capture and relocate any rabbits found on that property.
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